Apple is to launch an official investigation into reports that the iOS4 operating system is having an adverse affect on older iPhone devices, specifically the iPhone 3G.
The release of iOS4 for all iPhone handsets was intended to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 4, offering new features such as multi-tasking and the ability to customize the device. Users who installed the iOS4 update suddenly found their handsets had become slow, unresponsive and apps would frequently crash.
I have personally experienced a slowdown on my iPhone 3G with my apps crashing upon launch and button presses not being registered, opening the Settings on my iPhone now takes a whopping 7 seconds.
The good news is that iOS 4.1 seems to lift the iOS4 iPhone 3G slowdown curse, as reported by our very own Jacob Friedman. Jacob noted the following when using his iOS 4.1 enabled iPhone:
Apps load much more quickly, text entry is much smoother and the phone no longer slows down beyond the point of usability when more than one browser window is open.
We imagine Apple will pinpoint the update to iOS 4.1 as an overall fix but it does beg the question whether support for older iPhone handsets was a bit of an afterthought.
[Via - WSJ]
I have the iOS4.1 on iPhone 3g and it is still quite slow, although a little bit of an improvement over the iOS4. It still takes around 5 sec to open up the Settings app. And the Home button has to be pressed really hard to make it register but that might be a hardware issue.
I’m with Sudhir. I updated to iOS 4.0.1 and my iPhone 3G is still just as slow and unstable as it was with iOS 4.0.
Thank goodness they’re actually looking into it, though. It’s about time. It’s not just the slowdowns, either. As was mentioned in the article, apps are crashing all over the place (including the official Mail and Settings apps, among others).
Don’t be confused between 4.0.1 and 4.1 though. iOS 4.1 isn’t out for public release yet and is only available to developers.
Ah. Important distinction. Thanks for clarifying.
Apple, please just let us easily downgrade to iOS 3.x. The major benefit of 4.0 – multitasking – is not available to 3G users anyway, so we can live without 4.0 for the time being. Thanks.
Apples reliance on customer loyalty seems to bet getting further abused, early up takers of there technology are once again receiving the brunt of the issues and just like Apples over censorship (now also in the bookstore) reported in the last few days this will create another setback that I’m sure the company could have done with not coming to light at the moment in time.
However for them to neglect the full testing of iOS4 on the 3g , means inturn there neglecting the need of current customers it seems there so focused on “this changes everything” that they forget what everything is or was and that should be providing full support to current consumers of there products.
It is another setback once again for Apple it will be interesting to see what’s next in the news regarding iPhone/iPad issues (antenna, manufacturing and service charges) and their steps to refund cases won’t make up for the iPhone 4′s lack of function over form.
But Apple have created such a loyal following that people may just put up with what issues there are for the sake of owning the latest Apple product.
Personally, I’d be happier with an older iPhone – at least then the issues are all ironed out.
However, it’s also interesting to see how much excitement new technologies can bring. New technology and innovation is important for new business, illustrated by entrepreneurship grants and new business competitions like http://www.ukesnc.com.
Guess it’s not all bad!
Even mine is crushing and had just become so slow even when you want to pick a call. One have to switch if off to reboot it. And I’m still to update it to the OS4.01, but as mentioned above, don’t think it will be of anygood. As funny as this is, wish you could down grade the OS, but you just can’t. Apple should really look into this.